Rick Mayer
Digital ProducerI’m the online producer for Health News Florida, a collaboration of public radio stations and NPR that delivers news about health care issues.
This is an important position at WUSF. In 2019, the typical U.S. family spent about 11 percent of its annual income on health care, so it stands to reason issues of cost, quality, access and innovation are consequential to all Floridians. Then COVID-19 came along, and the weight of these matters gained exponentially. I take our reporting on these topics quite seriously, as I’m sure you do, too.
Literally growing up in newsrooms and a little serendipity along the way prepared me well for the post. Here’s the abridged version: I’m a Tampa guy, graduating from H.B. Plant High and thrust into the world with my USF degree rolled tightly in hand. From there, it was three mostly sleepless decades as an editor at The Tampa Tribune, then developing and managing an online journal serving physician executives. There’s also my side job editing a statewide health magazine.
And being married to a longtime hospital nurse/case manager helps; dinner conversation often gives me a feel of what’s happening on the front lines. The good and not-so-good.
Of course, my time isn’t always spent flailing in the health news vortex. You’re actually more likely to find me breaking down the Bucs, Bulls or Bolts after a game, taking Oodle the poodle to the dog park or tinkering the backroom piano while vicariously reliving my former life as a musician. (Remember, kids: Parents of percussionists have plenty of patience. Plenty!)
Contact Rick on X @rmayer2361 or by email at Mayer1@wusf.org.
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NASCAR comes to the region for the first time, when the developmental circuit joins the headline IndyCar series opener on the downtown waterfront road course. -
This is the county's first reported case of dengue this year. Officials did not say where in the county the illness was reported, but health department records note it occurred in July. -
Saladino, who was born and raised in Ybor City, began his dedication to youth as a public school P.E. teacher before starting an iconic high school tournament and postseason award to honor his late father. -
The Orlando group said it has a lender for the largest and safest portion of the money needed to buy a baseball franchise. Known as senior debt, it makes it easier and cheaper for the Dreamers to borrow. -
Benchmark International, a global mergers-and-acquisitions firm based in Tampa, signed a multiyear naming rights agreement with Vinik Sports Group, the owner of the Tampa Bay Lightning. -
Justices upheld a lower court’s ruling and ruled Bates was “procedurally barred from collaterally raising” a series of arguments that have been previously rejected. -
A partir del 1 de enero, los beneficiarios de SNAP en Florida ya no podrán usar el beneficio para comprar refrescos, bebidas energéticas, dulces o postres preparados como pasteles y galletas empaquetadas. -
The Flagler County Sheriff's Office says Autumn Bardisa, 29, used another nurse’s credentials to work for AdventHealth in Palm Coast for months before the hospital uncovered the scheme. -
There have been five deaths in Florida attributed to the Vibrio vulnificus bacteria this year. Since mid-July, the state has recorded five additional cases for a total of 16 this year. -
Beginning Jan. 1, SNAP recipients in Florida will no longer be able to use the benefit on soda, energy drinks, candy or prepared desserts like packaged cakes and cookies.
